Did you plug your headphones into a Xiaomi smartphone and then disconnect them, but the phone still thinks they're connected? Or did the headphone mode turn on on on its own without a physical connection? This problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi, POCO and Mi devices - especially after a firmware update or mechanical damage to the 3.5mm or Type-C connector.
Most of the time, it's a software failure or contamination of the connector contacts. Less commonly, hardware failure. In this article, we'll discuss 5 ways to bring sound back to the smartphone speakers, explain why it happens and how to avoid a recurrence. The instructions are suitable for all current Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 12/13, POCO X5/F5, Mi 11/12/13 and others.
Why Xiaomi is “stuck” in headphone mode
Before we get to the solution, it's important to understand why, and here are the most common scenarios.
- 🔌 Oxidation or contamination of the connector: Dust, moisture or mechanical particles inside the socket 3.5 mm or Type-C can create a false contact that simulates the connection of headphones.
- 🤖 Software glitch MIUI. After updating or resetting the settings, the system may not correctly identify the connected devices.
- 🔧 If you used a non-original headphone with a curved plug, the contacts could be locked inside the connector.
- 📱 Hardware malfunction: Less commonly, the problem is damage to the motherboard or audio chip (e.g., after a fall or moisture hit).
In 90% of cases, the problem is solved software--without going to the service center. Start with the simplest methods and move on to the most complex ones if the previous ones didn't help.
Method 1: Reboot the smartphone
The fastest and most versatile method is forced reboot, which resets the system's temporary data, including the state of the audio jacks.
- Press the Power button for 10-15 seconds until the screen goes out.
- Wait 30 seconds (this is important – give time to reset the cache).
- Turn on your smartphone with the power button.
After you restart, check the sound. If the problem persists, move on to the next method.
⚠️ Warning: If the sound is completely gone after the reboot (even in the headphones), the audio driver settings may have gone wrong.
Method 2: Cleaning the headphone jack
If a smartphone can see the headphones even without them being connected, it's the fault of false contact in the connector, most often due to accumulated dust or oxidation of the contacts.
You'll need:
- 🕯️ Toothpick or plastic spatula (not metallic!).
- 🧴 Alcohol or contact cleaning liquid (e.g, WD-40 Specialist).
- 🔦 Lighting lamp for the connector.
Step-by-step:
- Turn off your smartphone.
- Carefully, without pressing, clean the inside of the connector with a toothpick, removing visible contaminants.
- Soak the cotton swab in alcohol and wipe the contacts (don't overdo it with moisture!).
- Let the connector dry for 10-15 minutes.
- Turn on the phone and check the sound.
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If you have a Type-C model (such as the Xiaomi 13 or POCO F5), use a USB-C brush to clean it, which is thinner and will not damage your contacts.
Method 3: Resetting the sound settings
If the physical cleaning didn't work, the problem could be a failure in the audio system settings, and MIUI has a hidden option to reset the audio settings to factory settings.
Do the following:
- Open the Settings. → Sound and vibration.
- Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Reset.
- Confirm the action.
After reset, check if the headphone mode is gone. If not, move on to the next method.
What if the "Settings Reset" item is not on the menu?
Method 4: Use of the Engineering Menu
If standard methods don't work, you can try to force the audio mode to switch over the engineering menu, which is suitable for advanced users.
Instructions:
- Open the Phone app and type the combination: ##36446337## (some models may not work, then use the alternative code ##4636##).
- Choose Hardware Testing → Audio.
- In the Headset Mode, check the status. If it's active, tap it to reset.
- Go back to the main menu and select Restart Audio System.
⚠️ Warning: Do not change other options in the engineering menu unless you are sure of their purpose.
| Xiaomi model | Does the code #36446337## work? | Alternative code |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 10/11/12 | Yes. | ##4636## |
| POCO X3/X4/X5 | Yes. | ##7378423## |
| Mi 11/12/13 | No (root required) | Use ADB. |
| Redmi 9/9A/9C | Yes. | ##3644633## |
Method 5: Reset to factory settings
If none of these methods work, you have to reset your settings completely, which is a last resort, because all data (photos, apps, accounts) are deleted.
How to reset:
Backup your data to Settings → Google → Backup | Record the username and password from your Mi Account (required to unlock) | Connect your smartphone to charge (the battery must be at least 50% charged) | Make sure you have access to Wi-Fi (required to recover)
-->
- Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
- Choose to erase all data.
- Enter the password from your Mi Account (if requested).
- Confirm the reset.
After the reboot, set the smartphone as new, and 99% of the time, it solves the problem with the headphone mode if it was caused by a software glitch.
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If the problem returns after the reset, it is a sign of a hardware malfunction (a connector or audio chip is damaged), in which case repair is required at the service center.
What to do if nothing helps
If you have tried all the ways, but the smartphone still “sees” the headphones, the following reasons are possible:
- 🔧 Connector damage: Contacts inside the socket could be warped or soldered off the board. Solution: replacement of the connector (cost: 800 to 2000 rubles depending on the model).
- 🔊 Faulty audio chip, more common after falling or getting moisture.Solution: diagnostics and repair of the motherboard (from 2500 rubles).
- 📲 Firmware failure if the problem occurred after the update MIUI, Try to revert to the previous version via Fastboot.
For a diagnosis of hardware problems, contact an authorized Xiaomi service center. We do not recommend repairing the connector yourself - without experience, it is easy to damage the board.
How to avoid problems in the future
To prevent the headphone mode from turning on on itself, follow these tips:
- 🎧 Use original headphones or certified accessories. Cheap Chinese headphones with a curved plug often damage the connector.
- 🚫 Avoid sudden movements when connecting/disabling headphones – this can bend contacts.
- 🔄 Regularly (every 2-3 months) clean the connector from dust with a dry toothpick.
- 📱 Update. MIUI up to the latest version - in new firmware fix bugs with the definition of audio devices.
If you often plug in headphones, consider using wireless models (such as Xiaomi Buds 4 or Redmi Buds 5).